Roberto Faraone Mennella and Amedeo Scognamiglio

Saks Fifth Avenue recently hosted a meet and greet event with Amedeo Scognamiglio, one of the creators of Faraone Mennella by R.F.M.A.S.  We had an opportunity to sit down and chat with Amedeo and learn about the vision and inspiration behind their jewelry.

 Fellini’s ‘La Dolce Vita’, inspires thoughts of classic romance, beautiful women, and never-ending style, as does the jewelry of artists Amedeo Scognamiglio and Roberto Faraone Mennella.  Together they have created jewelry reminiscent of fashion icons such as Sophia Loren, Grace Kelly, and Jacquelyn Kennedy. 

The lifelong friends launched Faraone Mennella by R.F.M.A.S in the Spring of 2001 upon reuniting in New York after attending law school.  Scognamiglio was expanding the family business (the art of carving cameos by hand) to the United States and Mennella had studied Design Marketing; ultimately graduating from The Parsons New School of Design.   Always having a vision for the latest styles and trends,  Mennella and Scognamiglio decided that they wanted to create a line of high-end jewelry that integrated their Italian heritage with “Italian elegance” and timeless beauty using 18 karat gold and precious stones. 

The passion-driven duo had their big break when renowned New York fashion stylist Patricia Fields of Sex and the City fame, fell in love with their pieces and took all of their designs for six months to use in the series.  Kim Cattrall’s character, Samantha, donned the baubles and created the buzz among New York’s finest.  Before they knew it, Scognamiglio and Mennella were bombarded with requests.  First to come calling – Saks Fifth Avenue.  Scognamiglio confesses that he didn’t even know the term C.E.O and had to showcase their creations in their studio loft in New York.   Faraone Mennella was then featured in WWD; making the cover with one of their classic designs, an 18 karat gold cuff, titled “The Gold and the Beautiful” – talk about the Midas touch! 

 “We are involved in all of our designs, from start to finish.  We enjoy the creative adrenaline.”   When asked specifically about designing for the Miami woman, Scognamiglio replied “The Miami woman is exactly the type of woman we design for: classy, sophisticated, bold and natural, the woman that takes pride in how she looks and feels inside and out.”

To view the complete line of Faraone Mennella by R.F.M.A.S. at Saks Fifth Avenue visit http://www.saksfifthavenue.com .

Marisa Tomei

A very low-key Marisa Tomei hung out at Cafeina in Wynwood sipping hot tea on Friday night.  The Academy Award winning My Cousin Vinny actress, who was dressed down in a gray hoodie, sat outside with her friend, refusing any photos.  Maybe it was because she wasn’t wearing any make-up, perhaps she had a stomach ache. Who knows?  She slipped in and out virtually unnoticed.

Denis Rodman, threw a party at Kitchen 305 in the Newport Beach Hotel on Friday. Reality star Brittanya Ocampo (Rock of Love, Charm School) and Elaine Lancaster joined in the fun, with tunes provided by Joshua Thomas, aka DJ Zeke (Isaiah Thomas’ son). Rodman spent the better part of the weekend hanging out  poolside at the Newport.

Entourage’s ‘Lloyd!,’ also known as Rex Lee, got Lasik surgery on Thursday (can the guy not even have surgery in private!? Good Grief!).  Our guess is that he’s working on his image, now that he will be playing an agent on the show.  Over the weekend, Lee had dinner at STK Miami Beach.  According to our source, “The pair was having so much fun dancing to 80s hits in their booths; Rex snapped pictures with fans who yelled ‘Lloyd!’ a la Ari Gold and at one point bounced from table to table mingling with other restaurant guests.”

Rex Lee at STK Miami

On Thursday, Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade dined at Mr. Chow.   Roger Federer and Victoria Silvstadt were spotted there on Saturday.

After tearing up the dance floor at the Women of Tomorrow Gala, Victoria’s Secret model, Selita Ebanks and tennis star, Serena Williams partied at WALL at the W South beach until about 2 am.

On Saturday, Creed front man singer/songwriter Scott Stapp and his wife Jaclyn Stapp, winner of Mrs. Florida America, dined at Casa Tua with Allison & Chip Brady of Florida Dental Benefits, Inc. celebrating Jaclyn’s recent modeling cover of the March issue of Palm Beach Young Society Magazine.

Miami-based GREY GOOSE Vodka headed north to accept a “Besties Award” at The Academy Awards VIP viewing party held on Sunday, March 7, at The Manor in Wilton Manors. Prior to the show and during commercial breaks, Joan Rivers Impersonator, Joe Posa, greeted guests on the Blue Carpet and presented “Besties” awards to community members in the audience.

Nikki Adamkova, George Wallner, and Ximena Gonzalez

The first annual Hearts and Stars Gala took place Saturday evening at Casa Malinka, the waterfront estate of Russian super-model, Malinka Max and George Wallner to benefit The Little Lighthouse Foundation and Ronald McDonald Charities of South Florida. This “un-gala” seemed like a “pretty people convention” with over 600 well-heeled, great looking guests in attendance.  Instead of assigned seating, drawn out speeches, or banquet food (not that there’s anything wrong with that!) the Hearts and Stars gala featured an informal gathering, wherein guests roamed the expansive property, danced, mingled, bid on terrific auction items, enjoyed gourmet food from food stations provided by Devito South Beach, the Chop House, The  Ivy and GREY GOOSE cocktails a-go-go and were treated to a fashion show and two incredible musical performances, one by up-and-coming superstar, charismatic, NIR (who we tout as a young, Israeli Justin Timberlake, except even more gorgeous) and another  live performance by the legendary Pras Michel, founder and former member of the multi Grammy award winning group, The Fugees.  NIR showed off his terrific vocals, which are rivaled only by his dance moves, performing his debut single “Here I Come” along with dancers from the Strip.  Can we say “HOT?!”  After a brilliantly colorful fashion show by designer Rosita Hurtado, Pras Michel and his new band AXIXS wowed the crowd with a concert which included their new single “Hipstar”, along with other classics mixed in with the requisite Gaga, and the multi-platinum selling single “Ghetto Superstar,” (mashed-up with Dolly Parton’s “Islands in the Stream”- who knew both songs have the same melody?) which was even better than the original, complete with a fireworks display in the background.  Read the rest of this entry »

Winter Music Conference

If you are reading this right now, it appears that you have survived the first half of WMC! Congratulations!   Here’s the line-up for the rest of the week.

On Thursday, March 25, W Hotel’s Global Music Director, Michaelangelo L’Acqua, will host a private party to launch the brands’ 7^th CD compilation, Symmetry – which he curated himself. Miami’s elite will gather for a cocktail soirée in the Penthouse Extreme Wow Suite and enjoy a performance by The Golden Filter.

Our favorite Wynwood lounge, Cafeina will round up Winter Music Conference with three days of special performances. On Thursday, March 25 the lounge-meets-art gallery hosts “Electrosonic Miami” with featured artists Cristian Varela, Marco Bailey, Tim Baker, Lele Sacchi, Greg Gow, Tom Hades, and David Gonzalez. On Friday, March 26 DJ Motion Potion brings WMC’ers “Silent Disco,” along with the sounds of Panic Bomber. On Saturday, March 27, Cafeina presents “E! Glam Tour” with music by Dangerous Muse, Kill Hannah and Shiny Toy Guns.  While you are there, be  sure to check  out the best crab cakes this side  of the universe and Chef Guilly Booth’s other delectable menu additions.  Our latest craving:  coconut battered calamari.

Larry Tee

South Beach newcomer, Coco de Ville at Gansevoort South will host WMC events for the first time this year.  Thursday, March 25 there’s a listening party for Nikki & Rich with special guests LA Riot from 8 pm to 10 pm. Immediately following is “Dance or Die” with Larry Tee, Automatic Panic, Alexander Technique, Dangerous Muse, DJ Cat, Lauren Flax, Matt Devine & Greg (Kill Hannah), MK and performances by Erika Jayne and The Fire and Reason. On Friday, March 26, “Party Crash” brings out Ruckus, Cory Enemy, and DJ Shuttle. The Saturday, March 27 wrap-up event will be the Dirt.nasty. (not a typo) album release party with Devin Lucien and Jesse Marco.

Catch “Mash-up Master” DJ Joe Dert spinning at various venues throughout the weekend: Thursday, March 25 at Philippe hosted by Hassan Radouane at 9pm, Friday March 26 at Mivi, and Saturday, March 27 with dual sets at Plunge and Karu & Y.    Read the rest of this entry »

The American Red Cross presents its annual Red Cross Ball on March 27, at 7 p.m. at the Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne (455 Grand Bay Drive).  In light of recent disasters, the Red Cross needs your support more than ever,  so consider joining over 400 influential leaders of Miami’s social and corporate communities for a night of elegance, delicious food, music and dancing.  In addition to the auction which features items such as cruises, trips and other fabulous items, Will Earl Spanheimer, a young artist in residence with the San Diego Opera will perform. Tickets cost $500 per person.  Tables are also available.

For more information contact Kenia Tedesco at 305.728.2512 or email:  tedescok@usa.redcross.org.

This concert will be held from noon-10 p.m. on March 28, at the Central Broward Regional Park, located at 3700 NW 11th Place, Lauderhill, Fl and feature several musical genres including, Kompa, Reggae, R&B, Hip-Hop, Soca, Gospel and Latin.  The stellar line-up of invited guests include: Tabou Combo, Nu Look, Jahnesta, Sweet Mickey, Sister Sledge, Donna Allen, Whodini, Special Ed, Nadine Sutherland, Glen Washington, Singing Melody, Abijah, Causion, King Banton, Barbee, Twiggy, Maurice, Hope for Tomorrow, Junior Tucker, Sherell Rosegreen, and DJ Griot.

Tickets cost $15.00 and are available online at www.tohaitiwithlovebenefit.com or by calling 888-695-0888 or at various ticket outlets across Broward and Dade County.